Desiccant wheel for a portable dehumidifer
A desiccant wheel for a dehumidifier includes a band of material around an outer circumference of the desiccant wheel and a plurality of sprocket holes formed in the band of material. The plurality of sprocket holes are configured for coupling the desiccant wheel to a sprocket. The desiccant wheel is configured to rotate when the sprocket is rotated by a motor.
1. A portable dehumidifier, comprising:
a cabinet;
a plurality of wheels coupled to the cabinet;
a desiccant cassette configured to be inserted into the cabinet;
a desiccant wheel configured to be removably coupled to the desiccant cassette, the desiccant wheel comprising:
a band around an outer circumference of the desiccant wheel; and
a plurality of sprocket holes formed in the band, the plurality of sprocket holes being arranged in a line;
a sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth that are configured to be inserted into the plurality of sprocket holes of the hand; and
a motor configured to rotate the sprocket, thereby causing the desiccant wheel to rotate within the desiccant cassette.
2. The portable dehumidifier of claim 1 , further comprising
a first fan configured to generate a process airflow that flows through a first portion of the desiccant wheel in order to provide dehumidification;
a second fan configured to generate a reactivation airflow that flows through a second portion of the desiccant wheel in order to dry the desiccant wheel; and
a variable frequency drive (VFD) coupled to the first fan and operable to control a speed of the first fan.
3. The portable dehumidifier of claim 2 , wherein the desiccant cassette comprises:
a plurality of seals each configured to the keep the process airflow separate from the reactivation airflow.
4. The portable dehumidifier of claim 1 , wherein the motor is coupled to a plate, the plate configured to rotate in order to keep the teeth of the sprocket engaged with the sprocket holes.
5. The portable dehumidifier of claim 1 , wherein:
the desiccant wheel comprises a first height;
the band is made of metal; and
the band comprises a second height that is greater than or equal to the first height of the desiccant wheel.
6. The portable dehumidifier of claim 1 , wherein:
the motor comprises a drive shaft; and
the drive shaft is directly coupled to the sprocket.
7. A portable dehumidifier, comprising:
a desiccant cassette;
a desiccant wheel configured to the removably coupled to the desiccant cassette, the desiccant wheel comprising:
a band around an on circumference of the desiccant wheel; and
a plurality of sprocket holes formed in the band;
a sprocket comprising a plurality of teeth that are configured to be inserted into the plurality of sprocket holes of the band; and
a motor configured to rotate the sprocket, thereby causing the desiccant wheel to rotate within the desiccant cassette.
8. The portable dehumidifier of claim 7 , further comprising
a first fan configured to generate a process airflow that flows through a first portion of the desiccant wheel in order to provide dehumidification; and
a second fan configured to generate a reactivation airflow that flows through a second portion of the desiccant wheel in order to dry the desiccant wheel.
9. The portable dehumidifier of claim 8 , wherein the desiccant cassette comprises:
a plurality of seals each configured to the keep the process airflow separate from the reactivation airflow.
10. The portable dehumidifier of claim 7 , wherein the motor is coupled to a plate, the plate configured to rotate in order to keep the teeth of the sprocket engaged with the sprocket holes.
11. The portable dehumidifier of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of sprocket holes are:
arranged in a line.
12. The portable dehumidifier of claim 7 , wherein:
the desiccant wheel comprises a first height;
the band is made of metal; and
the band comprises a second height that is greater than or equal to the first height of the desiccant wheel.
13. The portable dehumidifier of claim 7 , wherein;
the motor comprises a drive shaft; and
the drive shaft is directly coupled to the sprocket.
14. A desiccant wheel for a dehumidifier, the desiccant wheel comprising:
a band around an outer circumference of the desiccant wheel; and
a plurality of sprocket holes formed in the band, wherein:
the plurality of sprocket holes are configured for coupling the desiccant wheel to a sprocket via a plurality of teeth of the sprocket;
the desiccant wheel is configured to rotate when the sprocket is rotated by a motor.
15. The desiccant wheel f claim 14 , wherein:
the desiccant wheel is configured to be removably coupled to a desiccant cassette;
the desiccant cassette is configured to be inserted into the dehumidifier, the dehumidifier comprising:
a first fan configured to generate a process airflow that flows through a first portion of the desiccant wheel in order to provide dehumidification; and
a second fan configured to generate a reactivation airflow that flows through second portion of the desiccant wheel in order to dry the desiccant wheel.
16. The desiccant wheel of claim 15 , wherein the desiccant cassette comprises:
a plurality of seals each configured to the keep the process airflow separate from the reactivation airflow.
17. The desiccant wheel of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sprocket holes are:
arranged in a line.
18. The desiccant wheel of claim 14 , wherein:
the desiccant wheel comprises a first height;
the band is made of metal or plastic; and
the band comprises a second height that is greater than or equal to the first height of the desiccant wheel.
19. The desiccant wheel of claim 14 , wherein:
the sprocket is directly coupled to a drive shaft of a motor.